Joe Pantuosco steps down as boys soccer coach at Cathedral

SPRINGFIELD – Joe Pantuosco, a name synonymous with soccer greatness in Western Massachusetts, has resigned as head coach of the boys soccer team at Cathedral High School.

“This has been who we are for 30 years,” said Pantuosco, 60. “My kids grew up with it, and they want my grandkids to grow up with it. It wasn’t an easy decision.”

Republican file photo by MICHAEL S. GORDONJoe Pantuosco guided Cathedral to 29 postseason appearances.Pantuosco steps down after a remarkable 32-year run, where he compiled an astonishing resume. While playing in the toughest league, his Panthers won 400-plus games and qualified for the Western Massachusetts Division I tournament 29 times. Pantuosco’s teams were 12-2 in Division I finals and won three state titles in six appearances. His 1993 team went 23-0 en route to the state championship and finished ranked second in the country.

“Winning is what creates memories,” said the Hampden resident, who serves as president of the Massachusetts State Soccer Coaches Association. “If you have a mediocre season, you don’t have life-long memories. Special bonds only come from special teams. You can’t lose 15 or 20 games and have awesome memories.”

And for parts of four decades, Pantuosco created awesome memories for his players, especially in regards to the regional finals. Since the mid-1980s, the Massachusetts State Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame member played every varsity player in each of the Western Massachusetts finals.

“I got everybody in, even if it was just for a minute-and-a-half,” said Pantuosco, who has four grandchildren. “I remember in 1986 or ’87 and I did not play people, and I looked behind me and the kids were not involved. My philosophy is, and my players will tell you, that victory without participation is hollow. The players need to be involved. I don’t think practicing your butt off and never playing is being involved.”

Al Streeter, who served as an assistant coach for Pantuosco for 29 seasons said, “He impacted the lives of hundreds of kids over the years, and I think in a good way. He wanted them to be passionate about soccer and everything they do in life. After they graduated from Cathedral, he hoped they would take that passion and direct it toward their career or lifelong dream.”

Among players who benefited from that passion were John Ingalls, John Ford and Ryan O’Donnell.

“I was a dopey high school kid,” said Ford, who played for Cathedral in Pantuosco’s first season, when the Panthers won the 1978 Division I championship. “To be honest with you, I’m not sure I would have gone to college if it wasn’t for Joe Pantuosco. He definitely had a positive impact on my life.”

O’Donnell, who won a pair of regional titles with Pantuosco, similarly said, “I never played for anybody who cared about his players and the program so much. I played for a lot of great coaches in club and college, and he just brought a level of passion that was unmatched. Regardless of whether we were playing Ludlow under the lights at Szot Park or a preseason scrimmage, we treated everything with a lot of energy and commitment to the cause, and that’s reflection of him.”

Not only did Ingalls play for Pantuosco, but he also coached against his former mentor during his nine-year stint at Minnechaug Regional.

“He’s the consummate motivator,” said Ingalls, who recently stepped down as head coach at Minnechaug. “He’d be the first to say he used his assistants for a lot of the teaching because he had some great guys around him, but he knew how to get his players to play.”

Along with being involved in the lives of so many high school athletes, Pantuosco said he is most proud of the way “my teams always played with passion.”

More quotes regarding Joe Pantuosco

John Ford, who played on Pantuosco’s first team at Cathedral:
“Joe comes off as cocky and can be arrogant at some times, but that’s not even close to who the real Joe is.”

Ryan O’Donnell, a 2004 Cathedral graduate who later starred at Amherst College:
“I’m sure there’s a love him or hate him attitude out there, but to play for him was one of the most important experiences of my life. He’s still someone I call on regularly. He took such an interest in all of his players to make sure each one was successful, which you wouldn’t notice unless you played for him.”

Al Streeter, long-time assistant coach
“As a coach, he was demanding but fair. He had a great sense of humor. He could make the kids laugh every day. He would make me laugh. He made practice and games fun. But he wanted to teach the kids, the boys, in life you get out what you put in. And in soccer, that’s how he coached. If you worked hard, good things were going to come from that. And if you slacked off, you’re not going to get the results you’re looking for. So, he was demanding, but he was teaching life lessons along the way.”